An evaluation of the second survey on electronic databases usage at Ankara University

Digital Library
Type: Case study
Author(s): Cemal Atakan, Dogan Atilgan, Özlem Bayram, Sacit Arslantekin
Source: Electronic Library, The Volume: 26 Issue: 2 2008
Please login | | Abstract [ HTML & PDF (74kb) available ] | Related
items | Reprints & permissions

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to encompass the assessment of the effectiveness
of the digital library and the value of multidisciplinary databases in terms of user
preferences and use frequency by academic ranking.

Design/methodology/approach – This paper compares the results of two survey

questionnaires carried out in 2002 and 2005. It examines the level of awareness by
academic staff of digital library resources along with their use rate and to evaluate the
preferences of faculty for specific electronic databases case studies were undertaken by
means of separate questionnaires in both years.

Findings – Findings were consistent that positive results have been observed in two
studies conducted in two years, 2002 and 2005. According to the results of the current
survey, increased numbers of the faculty members of Ankara University know about the
existence of the digital library. Another result of the survey is that many of the faculty
members, although not all, use electronic databases. The most preferred databases have
been Web of Science, Science Direct and Ebsco. When use of the electronic databases is
analyzed, in respect of faculty rank and level of awareness, associate and assistant
professors, assistants are ranked first.

Originality/value – The study presents the first case study in the field in Turkey that
compares the current situation of the digital library usage with the initial survey data.

2 The changing use of electronic document delivery in the inter-library loan service: a
survey
Type: Research paper
Author(s): Judith Walton
Source: Interlending & Document Supply Volume: 36 Issue: 1 2008
| View HTML | View PDF (1126kb) | Abstract | Related items | Reprints
& permissions
3 A survey of the use of electronic services at Glasgow Caledonian University Library
Type: Research paper
Author(s): John C. Crawford, Andrew Daye
Source: Electronic Library, The Volume: 18 Issue: 4 2000
Please login | | Abstract [ HTML & PDF (473kb) available ] | Related
items | Reprints & permissions
Abstract

This paper describes a survey of the use of the electronic information floor (EIF) located
in Glasgow Caledonian University’s Caledonian Library and Information Centre. The
survey used both observational and questionnaire based methods and builds on a previous
study which used focus groups and semi-structured interviews. The study was divided
into two parts: an observational study and a questionnaire based study. The observational
study found word processing, sending and receiving e-mail, and Web browsing to be the
most common activities. The more substantial part of the study was questionnaire based,
the questionnaire being administered both on paper and electronically. The main findings
were: most respondents were full-time students: most respondents were PC rather than
Mac users; only 18 per cent use CD-ROMs and only about 13 per cent use online
databases. About a third had problems in using the EIF. The main overall conclusions are
that information searching is a minority activity and that the volume of non-curricular
activity is substantial but unquantified.
4 Use of e-journals among research scholars at Central Science Library, University of
Delhi
Type: Research paper
Author(s): P.M. Naushad Ali, Faizul Nisha
Source: Collection Building Volume: 30 Issue: 1 2011
Please login | | Abstract [ HTML & PDF (239kb) available ] | Related
items | Reprints & permissions

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to determine the extent to which research scholars
at Central Science Library, University of Delhi are aware and make use of e-journals.

Design/methodology/approach – A survey was designed to collect basic information

about the level of use of electronic journals as well as other factors contributing to and
associated with their use. A well-structured questionnaire was administered among
research scholars to collect the necessary primary data, keeping in view the objectives of
the study.

Findings – The findings clearly reveal that more than 60 per cent of users in the Central
Science Library are using e-journals weekly for the purpose of research. Printed journals
are consulted by the majority of users compared with e-journals. Keyword is the most
popular search method for searching e-journals among research scholars, whereas the
date of publication carries the least percentage among all the options. However, if is
found that slow downloading of PDF files is the major problem that would discourage
users while using e-journals.

Research limitations/implications – The present paper consists only of e-journal users

and the geographical area is restricted to the CSL at the University of Delhi. The scope of
the paper could be extended to additional centrally funded universities. An intra-
comparative study could also be made between some select central and state universities
for users of e-journals.

Originality/value – There are a number of studies on the use of e-journals, but this is the
first of its kind within Delhi University. As such, it should pave the way for research in
other Indian universities as well as elsewhere.

5 A survey of Interlibrary Loans at Ruder Boškovic Institute Library, Croatia, 2003-

2008
Type: Research paper
Author(s): Prof. Bojan Macan, Miss Sofija Konjevic
Source: Interlending & Document Supply Volume: 39 Issue: 1 2011
Please login | | Abstract [ PDF (649kb) available ]

Abstract

Purpose - The purpose of this survey is to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of
interlibrary loan (ILL) at the RBI Library in Croatia.

Design/methodology/approach - Various indices were measured including: the

percentage of fulfilled ILL requests, the difference between copy and loan requests, the
difference between requests fulfilled free of charge and fee based and also to calculate the
document delivery time. The analyzed data on received ILL requests were gathered via
an in-house developed application for ILL called SEND, via which RBI researchers
submit their ILL requests to the RBI Library.

Findings - This survey showed a high percentage of fulfilled ILL requests (94.6%), but
there was also a surprisingly high percentage of cancelled ILL requests, because RBI
Library owned the requested documents (21.8%). Most ILL requests were copy requests
and the analysis of the gathered data showed a trend of acquiring more documents free of
charge. Delivery time has decreased in the period of the survey, and in 2008, it was less
than 6 working days for copy requests and approximately 10 days for loan requests. The
delivery time was shorter for fee based requests.

Originality/value - This paper presents a systematic analysis of the ILL service at the RBI
Library for a six year period (2003-2008).

vv